|
If you've been following my series of reviews on auto mechanics, you know that I've been having issues (from time to time) with my beat up old Honda. Now that I've been here in the LA area for...
If you've been following my series of reviews on auto mechanics, you know that I've been having issues (from time to time) with my beat up old Honda. Now that I've been here in the LA area for almost a year at the time of this posting, I think I've finally found the one mechanic that I will go to whenever I have car-related issues: Tony Auto Service in Gardena, CA.
One of the issues I've been having with my car is that the engine runs hot. I drove halfway to Vegas recently, and my engine started running hot and I couldn't figure out why. Luckily, it dial never went into the red.
Anyway, I had taken my car to three mechanics, and none of them could figure out what in the world was wrong with my car. Tony went beyond the basic checklist of reasons as to why my car was acting up and did some further investigation and got to the root of the problem.
My car is finally fixed, and I am driving it worry free. And I know that the next time something goes batty, Tony will fix it right.
Hide
|
|
Tofu Village is a small Korean restaurant that specializes in soon tubu jigae, which is a stew made with soft tofu. Your meal comes with the obligatory assortment of panchan, which are little side...
Tofu Village is a small Korean restaurant that specializes in soon tubu jigae, which is a stew made with soft tofu. Your meal comes with the obligatory assortment of panchan, which are little side dishes (i.e., kimchi).
The folks over at Tofu Village don't skimp out on the panchan. There are plenty of different kinds to try, and they'll keep bringing them out if you want more.
Instead of white rice, they serve purple rice. The rice is brought out in a hot stone bowl, scooped out and placed in a smaller rice bowl for you.
I appreciate the dirty hole in the wall experience from time to time, but most of the time there is nothing like being able to enjoy a good meal in a clean restaurant. Tofu Village serves up a tasty meal in a tidy environment in under ten bucks.
Hide
|
|
Upon moving to LA, my first major vehicle mishap was when my radiator blew up. Luckily, it happened very close to Chung's Mobil Service Center.
I was able to drive my car to the station and let...
Upon moving to LA, my first major vehicle mishap was when my radiator blew up. Luckily, it happened very close to Chung's Mobil Service Center.
I was able to drive my car to the station and let Mr. Chung take a look under the hood. He waved me over to look with him. My radiator cracked and spewed coolant all over the place.
Mr. Chung told me that I'd need a new radiator. I gave him the green light. He made a call, and someone brought a brand new radiator down to the shop within half an hour. There was enough time for me to walk somewhere and find a place to get some lunch.
When I came back to the shop, Mr. Chung told me that although he didn't have a waiting area, I was free to wait inside the little mini shop to his gas station. It was nice and air conditioned.
About an hour later, I had a brand new radiator in my car and was sent on my way. I would highly recommend this place to anyone needing a repair!
Hide
|
|
Let me start this review by stating that my general knowledge of LA geography and governmental services is not yet solid. So it shouldn't surprise you to know that during my first week here, when I...
Let me start this review by stating that my general knowledge of LA geography and governmental services is not yet solid. So it shouldn't surprise you to know that during my first week here, when I decided to go to the DMV to take care of a few chores, I misguidedly chose one very far from my work place.
My Google Map route took me straight through the hood and I broke down near the intersection at Western and Gage. I knew immediately that I was not in a good neighborhood. I couldn't move my car because it was overheated, so I put on my emergency blinkers and opened the hood.
Upon a cursory inspection under the hood, I noticed that I had a busted hose that was gushing out coolant like a geyser. Not one person offered to help me push my car to a safe place.
I took a few moments and several deep breaths, then surveyed the area. A few gangbangers were walking down the street to see if I was jackable. Apparently, I was not and they moved on.
I looked southbound, and like an oasis, there was CH Auto Repair, within sprinting distance from where I was. I waited for my engine to cool, and drove my car to the shop.
The proprietor of the shop greeted me, looked under the hood and added me to his queue. Within two hours, my problem was solved and I was on my way. Next time I need something done to my car, I'll definitely venture into the hood to see them again!
Hide
|
|
After the long drive to LA last month, plus the month or so I've been here, my car has developed a thick layer of dirt, grime and bugs. It was way past time for a car wash.
I ended up taking my...
After the long drive to LA last month, plus the month or so I've been here, my car has developed a thick layer of dirt, grime and bugs. It was way past time for a car wash.
I ended up taking my car to Expert Car Wash, near the corner of 9th & La Brea. The cheapest car was they had on the menu was the "VIP Service," for $14.99.
Let me tell you--I drove in there with a beat up old Honda and drove away with an (almost) new again car! The attention to detail was pretty darned good. It was the best 15 bucks I've ever spent on a car wash. And believe me, I've been to car washes were I've spent double the amount for nothing more than a cursory wipe down! I left a $3 tip for the guy who finished my car.
The only thing I have to gripe about is that they didn't get the little portion of my sun roof which is directly below the sun roof shield. They could have done this by partially opening up the sun roof and wiping it down. No biggie, I'll just ask them to handle it next time I go there.
All in all, I spent $18 and saved three hours to enjoy the California sunshine. In my opinion, money and time well spent!
Hide
|
|
I moved to LA during the heat wave. My old Honda's A/C isn't what it used to be. I went to the Goodyear Tire Center on Vermont (443 S Vermont, Los Angeles) since they do more than tires...
I moved to LA during the heat wave. My old Honda's A/C isn't what it used to be. I went to the Goodyear Tire Center on Vermont (443 S Vermont, Los Angeles) since they do more than tires there.
The fellow I was dealing with was polite enough, but there was an old man in the shop who was extremely rude. While waiting in the store for my estimate, the old man blurted to the polite one: "What does this guy want?" The polite fellow told him what I was there for. The rude one glared at me for a moment and went about his business.
They could not fix my A/C that day, because they needed to special order a part. I made an appointment to come back.
On the day I was to get my A/C fixed, I left my cars and keys there at the shop with the polite guy. I left and came back when I was instructed to come back. They were getting ready to close the shop, and I was told that they didn't have the time to get to my vehicle.
Since the A/C guy wasn't going to be there the next day, and I needed to get to work the day after, there was no way I could leave my car there. I was told that they "tried to call." Neither did I miss a call, nor was a message left for me.
I walked out pretty pissed, without any relief from the hot Southern California heatwave. And I'll never visit this shop again.
Hide
|